The weekly lessons were carefully created to target 4th grade vocabulary skills needed to help students understand words not only in the context of reading and in applying to their writing, but also in isolation and in oral communication.

The lessons and weekly vocabulary words are well researched and based on The Common Core and The Continuum of Literacy Learning, by Irene Fountas and Gay Su Pinnell.

Each week you will introduce the weekly vocabulary words by following the teacher lesson planning pages.

Weekly words will be introduced before, during, and after reading the weekly passage with the class.

The teacher directions will give you all the information needed to understand when each word will be introduced within the lesson.

This method of teaching vocabulary goes way beyond the traditional approach of simply assigning words for the week and was created with well grounded research in what students need to develop a rich vocabulary.

With these lessons and the framework for each week of learning, you will find this vocabulary instruction different in that it:

• Focuses on making connections between new vocabulary and personal experiences, rather than simply memorizing a list of generic definitions and words.

• Allows students several opportunities to play with words and their meanings, thinking deeply about how words can change meanings based on the context in which they appear.

• Integrates vocabulary skills into all parts of the students’ day, including both the reading and writing workshops.

• Teaches students to notice word meanings and how those meanings impact the overall message of a text or oral conversation.

• Helps students understand the value of having a rich vocabulary.

• Encourages learning through working with partners and in small groups.

• Empowers students to be in charge of their own learning. By giving them the power to become active participants in the lessons, it makes learning so much more meaningful.

• When learning becomes meaningful, students tend to work a whole lot harder to reach their highest potential!

• Teaches students to be interdependent and accountable for each other’s learning.